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The Hoge Kempen National Park is the first national park in Flanders. A beautiful area to discover by bike! Extensive pine forests alternate with purple-flowering heather.

Mechelse Heide
This route leads you through the beautiful Lanaken region. The cycle route starts at junction 140, on the edge of De Hoge Kempen National Park. You drive north past Opgrimbie. Between As and Maasmechelen you cross the largest heathland area in Flanders: the seven hundred hectare Mechelse Heide. There was once a primeval forest here, which was decimated by felling and grazing. What remained was a heathland area. In summer the heather blooms beautifully purple and red.

Domain Pietersheim
Just before the end of the route you pass Domein Pietersheim. Parts of the old ring castle, the rampart and the inner moat of this impressive castle ruin are still clearly recognizable. You will also see a chapel that dates from the fourteenth century. The domain has a café and information center about the underlying Hoge Kempen National Park. If you want to know more about this area, visit Tourism Lanaken, near the canal in Lanaken-Rekem.